Clothes washing machines



Jan. 17, 1956 G. P. cAsTNER 2,730,885

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l f Iliff? m.....i%\\\\\ 2 H r INVENTOR. George l? Casfner Ahys.

Jan. 17, 1956 G, P, CASTNER 2,730,886

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 6. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alfys.

United States Patent 4`O viy 2,730,386 j CLOTHES WASHING MAcmNns GeorgeP. Castner, Webster City, Iowa, assigner to Speed-Flex, Inc., acorporation of Iowa Application December 6, 1951, Serial No. 260,170

Claims. (Cl. 68-23) The present invention relates to clothes washing machines and more particularly to such machines comprising an upstandingtub `employing a ilat disk-like dasher arranged in the lower portionthereof and continuously rotated at a relatively high speed in order toeffect .circulation of the wash liquid and the clothes contained in thetub and to produce a washing action upon the clothes.

Heretofore, it vhas been proposed to provide aclothes washing machinethat comprises a stationary upstanding tub provided with a bottom wallcarrying a at disklike dasher adjacent thereto that is continuouslyrotated about a substantially vertical axis at a relatively high speedfor the` purposes of effecting circulation of the wash liquid and theclothes contained in the tub and of producing a washing action upon theclothes. However, this machine was not productive of a satisfactorywashing action upon the clothes due to the formation of an upstandingvortex in thesubstantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquidlocated directly above the face of the dasher incident `to thecontinuous rotation of the dasher at the relatively high speed, wherebythe clothes became trapped in the upstanding hollow vortex in the washliquid and the wash liquid was circulated in an upstanding torus aboutthe clothes, so that the clothes were badly tangled `anti poorly washed.ln view of `this difficulty, it was concluded that the production of asatisfactory clothes washing machine of the character .noted was notfeasible, since no arrangement was apparent that would prevent theformation of the undesirable upstanding vortex in the wash liquid`incident to the continuous rotation of the dasher at the necessaryrelatively high speed.

Accordingly it is a general object ot' the present invention to provideaclothes washing machine of the type noted that incorporates anarrangement for preventing the formation of theupstanding yortex Vin thewash liquid disposed directly above theface of vthe 4dasher not'-withstanding the continuous rotation ofthe' dasher at l a relativelyhigh speed. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a clothes washing machineof the type noted that includes an up standing housing provided with atop wall having a top opening, a top door associated with the topopening and movable between open and closed positions with respectthereto, and structure carried by the top door and projecting downwardlytherefrom in `the closed position of the top door into the upper`portion of the tub and partially submerged in the wash-liquid containedtherein for preventing the formation of the upstanding vortex in thewash liquid incident to the continuous rotation of the dasher at arelatively high speed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clothes washingmachine comprising an upstanding spin tub provided with a bottom walland an upwardly and outwardly directed side wall, and a substantiallydisk-like dasher disposed in the spin tub adjacent to the center of thebottom wall, wherein the dasher is mounted for continuous rotation at arelatively highV speed about the ice upstanding central axis of the spintub in order to effect circulation of the wash liquid and the clothescontained in the spin tub and to produce a washing action upon theclothes, and wherein the spin tub is also mounted for continuousrotation at a relatively high speed about its upstanding central axis inorder to effect removal of the wash liquid therefrom followed byextraction of the Wash liquid from the clothes contained therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a clotheswashing machine of the character noted, an improved and simplified drivearrangement including a reversible drive member mounted for rotation inopposite directions at .a relatively high speed, and an automatic clutchthatis responsive to rotation of the drive member in one direction forclutching the dasher thereto and for 'declutching the .spin tubtherefrom and responsive to rotation of the drive member in the oppositedirection to clutch the spin `tub thereto and to declutch the dashertherefrom.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof theelerneuts of the clothes washing machine, whereby theabove-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

ln accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that ina clothes washing machine of the character noted, the formation of theupstanding vortex in the wash liquid disposed directly above the face ofthe dasher incident to continuous rotation. of the dasher at arelatively high speed may be prevented by the provision of animperforate member arranged directly over the dasher and projecting fromabove downwardly into the tub containing the wash liquid and partiallysubmerged in the wash liquid, the area of the lower submerged surface ofthe member being somewhat larger than the area of the face of thedasher, and the dasher being disposed entirely within the verticalprojection of the lower submerged surface of the imperforate member,lPreferably the imperforate member is carried by a top door associatedwith a top opening formed in a top wall of a housing for the machine,the tub being disposed in the upper portion of the housing. In thearrangement the imperorate member is movable with the top door andprojects downwardly therefrom into the tub, the .lower portion of theimperforate member being submerged in the wash .liquid contained in the.tub when the top door occupiesits closed position, as previously noted.Also in themachine a oat controlledswitch is provided that permitscontinuous 4rotation of the dasher at the relatively thigh speed only inresponse to the provision of a predetermined level of the wash liquid inthe tub, insuring that the lower portion of the imperforate member issubmerged prior to initiation of the continuous rotation of the dasherat the relatively high speed.

Apparently the formation of the upstanding vortex in the vertical columnof the wash liquid extending between the face of the4 dasher and thelower surface of the impertorate member is dependent upon the admissionof air at the surface of the` wash liquid directly into the center ofthe whorl of the wash liquid as continuous rotation of `the dasher isinitiated, since the upstanding vortex does not form in the wash liquidwhen the imperforate member is in place, as described above, prior toinitiation of continuous rotation of the dasher. On the other hand, theupstanding vortex does form in the wash liquid when the imperforatemember is not in place, as described above, prior to initiation of thecontinuous rotation of the' dasher. ln other words, when the top dooroccupies its closed position and the tub is filled to its normal levelthereof prior to initiation of continuous rotation of the dasher, theupstanding vortex does not form in the wash liquid; and on the otherhand, when the door occupies its open position or when the tub is notfilled to its normal level thereof prior to initiation of the continuousrotation of the dasher, the upstanding vortex does form in the washliquid. Also it has been discovered that during normal operation of themachine, without the upstanding vortex in the washing liquid, theupstanding vortex can be formed or be induced to form by admitting airfrom the exterior into the area disposed below the submerged surface ofthe imperforate member; which circumstance again seems to point to thefact that it is the induction of air into the center of the whorl at thetop surface of the wash liquid that initiates the formation of theupstanding vortex therein.

Finally in the arrangement the tub is mounted for rotation about itsupstanding central axis coincident with the axis of rotation of thedasher for the purpose of removing the wash liquid from the tub and ofextracting the wash liquid from the clothes contained therein. `For thepurpose of selectively and continuously rotating the dasher and the tub,a drive arrangement is provided that comprises a drive member mountedfor rotation, and a reversible motor operative to rotate the drivemember in either direction at a relatively high speed, together with anautomatic clutch that is responsive to rotation of the drive member inone direction to clutch the dasher thereto and to declutch the tubtherefrom and responsive to rotation of the drive member in the oppositedirection to clutch the tub thereto and to declutch the dashertherefrom. This arrangement is very advantageous in view of the factthat the total assembly is essentially balanced, both during the washingoperation and. during Vthe wash liquid extracting operation, therebysimplify- Referring now to Figs. V1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings,the clothes washing machine 10 there illustratedr and embodying thefeatures of the' present invention comprises an upstanding housing 11provided with a substantially tubular side wall 12 and a substantiallyannular top wall 13 having a substantially centrally disposed topopening 14 therein. The top opening 14 may be of any configuration butis preferably substantially rectangular and is' provided with anassociated top door 15 carried by the top wall 13 and mountedupon'associated hinges 16 for movements between'open and closedpositions with respect to the top opening 14. Preferably a substantiallyrectangular depending flange 17 is carried by the top wall l13 insurrounding relation with respect to the top opening 14 so that theouter surface of the door 15 is disposed substantially flush with theouter surface of the top wall 13 when the top door 15 occupies itsclosed position. A substantially disk-shaped partition 18 is arranged inthe housing 11 Vand secured in liquidtight relation about the peripherythereof to the adje cent side wall 12 in order to define an upperwashing compartment 19 and a lower machinery compartment 20.

Arranged in the machinery compartment 2t) is a' substantially annularsupporting ring 21 secured to the side wall 12 and carrying a spider 22terminating adjacent to the vertical center line of the machine in asubstantially annular bearing support 23 having a centralopening 24therein, the bearing support 23 carrying a substantially the tub, thewash liquid being circulated from the face of the dasher in outwardlydirected spirals across the bottom wall of the tub and thence upwardlyalong the side wall of the tub and then back inwardly and downwardlytoward the center of the face of the dasher, and the clothes beingcirculated with the wash liquid and being annular bearing plate 25,that, in turn, supports a substantially annular clutch plate 26 throughan interposed antifriction thrust bearing 27 that maybe of the ballbearing type. An upstanding drive member or shaft 28 is arranged alongthe vertical center line of the machine and extends through theceutralopening 24 provided in the bearing support 23 and through analigned central opening 29 provided in thefbearing plate 25, the upperend of the drive shaft 28 being tixedly secured in a cen tral openingprovided in the clutch plate 26, and the lower end of the drive'shaft 28having a pulley 30 fixedly by the provision of a plurality of shallowsmooth Vcon- Vex ribs formed on the face of the dasher. This wash-y ingaction produced by the continuous rotation of the dasher at a relativelyhigh speed is very gentle yet entirely adequate lthoroughly to washheavily soiled colthes.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in Vwhich Figure l is avertical sectional View of a clothes washing machine embodying thepresent invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal Sectional view,ytaken in the direction of the arrows along the line 2--2 in Fig. l, ofthe intermediate portion of the machine, illustrating the arrangement ofthe spin tub, the baffle and the dasher incorporated therein; Fig. 3 isahorizontal sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows alongthe line 3-3 in Fig. l, of

. the lower portion of the machine, illustrating the arrange ment of theautomatic direction responsive clutch incorporated between the drivemember and the spin tub and the dasher; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram ofan electric control system for the machine shown in Fig. l; Fig. 5 is areduced plan view of a modified form of the spin tub that may beincorporated in the machine shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6y is a reducedvertical sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows along theline 6-6 in Fig. 5, of the modified spin tub.

secured thereto. The extremeupper end of the drive shaft 28 has a centerrecess formed therein that' receives a ball 31 that, in turn, supportsthe extreme lower end of a dasher shaft `32, the lower end of the dashershaft 32 having a substantially annular clutchplate 33 fixedly securedthereto that, in turn, carries a clutch plate 34 through an interposedantifriction thrust bearing 35 that may be of the ball bearing type. A'tubular spin tub shaft 36 is arranged in surrounding relation withrespect to the dasher shaft 32, the lower end of the spin tub` shaft 36being fixedly secured to the clutch plate 34 and the upper end of thespin tub shaft 36 being xedly secured to a substantially annular collar37 that terminates in ak substantially annular spin tub supportingplatform 38. The concentric positions of the shafts 32 and 36 aremaintained by upper and lower sleeve bearings 39. and 40;- the lower endof the shafts 32 and 36 being arranged in the machinery compartment 20,and the upper ends of the shafts 32 and 36 being arranged in the washingcompartment 19. More particularly, the central portion of the partition18 is provided with an opening 41 surrounded by an opstanding tube 42having an open upper end and projecting well above the partition 18 intothe washing compartment 19. Thus the collar 37 carried by the upper endof the shaft 36 projects out of the upper open end of the tube 42 sothat the platform 38 is disposed entirely in the washing compartment 19.v

A spin tub 43 is fixedly secured to the platform 38 and is provided withan upwardly sloping substantially disk-like bottom wall 44 having acentral opening 45 therein through which the extreme upper end of theshaft 32 projects. -Also the spin tub 43 is provided with an upwardlyand outwardly directed substantially tubular side wall .46 terminatingin an open top having ank outwardly and downwardly rolled rim 47, thejunction between the upper portion of the bottom wall 44 and the lowerportion of the side wall 46 providing an `annular ledge 48 supportingthe lower end of a substantially tubular baffle 49 disposed within `thespin tub 43. The bafe 49 is provided with an upwardly and inwardlydirected side wall 50 that terminates adjacent to the upper end thereofin an inwardly directed and smoothly curved flange 51 having a centraltop opening 52 formed therein and provided with an inwardly anddownwardly directed rolled rim 53. A substantially annular depression 54is provided in the bottom wall 44 of the spin tub 43 in surroundingrelation with respect to the central opening 45; and a substantiallyannular disk-like dasher 55 is iixedly secured to the extreme upper endof the shaft 32 and arranged at least partially in the depression 54. Asbest shown in Figs. l and 2, the dasher-55 is provided with asubstantially flat face 56 terminating in a downwardly directedperipheral rim 57 projecting into the depression 54, the face 55 beingsomewhat upwardly crowned and carrying six shallow radially disposedribs 58 angularly spaced-apart by intervening substantially pie-shapedshallow depressions 59. For the purpose of sealing the space between theupper end of the shafts 32 and 36 about the central opening 45 providedin the bottom wall 44 of the spin tub 43, a suitable packing gland 60 isarranged just above the upper sleeveV bearing 40 and within the collar37, whereby wash liquid contained in the spin tub 43 is sealed againstentry into the tubular shaft 36. In view of the foregoing, it will beunderstood that the dasher 55 is mounted for rotation at a relativelyhigh speed with the shaft 32 and independently of the shaft 36 for thepurpose of producing a washing action within the spin tub 43; while theshaft 36 is mounted for rotation at a relatively high speedindependently of the shaft 32 for the purpose of producing a waterextracting operation of the spin tub 43.

Considering now in greater detail the constructionand arrangement of thedrive mechanism for the shafts 32 and 36, as best shown in Figs. 1 and3, the annular clutch plate 26 comprises a hollow central cavity 61 inwhich the ball 31 is arranged, a surrounding upwardly directed annularauge 62 and a surrounding upwardly directed annular flange 63, theflanges 62 and 63 being arranged in spaced-apart relation by an annularintervening groove 64. The annular clutch plate 33 is provided with acentral downwardly directed annular hub 65 arranged in the centralcavity 61 and a downwardly directed annular flange 66 arranged in theannular groove 64. The annular clutch plate 34 is provided with adownwardly directed annular body 67 terminating at the lower end thereofin an annular ange 68 surrounding the annular flange 63. Finally theannular bearing plate 25 is provided with an upwardly directed annularflange 69 surrounding the annular flange 68. Arranged in the annularilange 62 are three substantially equally f angularly spaced-aparttintes or channels 70 that receive three cooperating clutch parts 71that may take the form of balls or stub rollers; arranged in the annularflange 63 are three substantially equally angularly spacedapart utes orchannels 72 that receive three cooperating clutch parts 73 that may takethe form of balls or stubrollers; and arranged in the annular ange 68are three sbstantially equally angularly spaced-apart flutes or channels74 that receive three cooperating clutch parts 75 that may take the formof balls or stub rollers. The flutes or channels 70 and 74 are directedfrom the peripheries of the respective anges 62 and 68 ,inwardlyV in theclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3; while the utes or channels 72are directed from the4 periphery of the'ange 63 inwardly in thecounterclockwise direction as,- viewed in Fig. 3.

Accordingly, it will be understood that when the drive shaft 28 isrotated in the clockwise directionas viewed in Fig. 3, the clutch plate26 is rotated therewith carrying the anges 62 and 63 therewith, wherebythe clutch parts Madsen' 71 move outwardly in the flutes or channels '70into binding engagement between the anges 62 and 66 so that the clutchplate 33 and the dasher shaft 32 are also rotated in the clockwisedirection; and on the other hand, the clutch parts 73 move inwardly inthe flutes or channels 72 into complete disengagement with respect tothe ange 68 so that the clutch plate 34 is declutched with respect tothe clutch plate 26. Contrariwise when the drive shaft 28 is rotated inthe counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the clutch plate 26is rotated 'therewith carrying the flanges 62 and 63 therewith, wherebythe clutch parts 73 move outwardly in the flutes or channels 72 intobinding engagement between the flanges 63 and 68 so that the clutchplate 34 and the spin tub shaft 36 are also rotated in thecounterclockwise direction; and on the other hand, the clutch parts 71move inwardly in the flutes or channels 'itl into complete disengagementwith respect to the flange 66 so that the clutch plate 33 is declutchedwith respect to the clutch plate 26. Hence, when the drive shaft 28 isrotated in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the dasher shaft32 is clutched thereto for direct rotation therewith and the spin tubshaft 36 is declutched therefrom; and on theotherhand, when the driveshaft 28 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig.3, the spin tub shaft 36 is clutched thereto for direct rotationtherewith and the dasher shaft 32 is declutched therefrom. Also when thespin tub shaft 36 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewedin Fig. 3, the clutch plate 34 is rotated therewith so that the clutchparts 7S move inwardly in the utes or channels 74 into completedisengagement with respect to the ange 69 carried by the relativelystationary bearing plate 25. Moreover when the dasher 5S is rotated inthe clockwise direction as viewed `in Fig. 3, there is a tendency forthe wash liquid and the clothes contained in the spin tub 43 to rotatethe spin tub 43 in the clockwise direction, rotating the clutch plate 34therewith, whereby the clutch parts 75 move outwardly in the flutes orchannels 74 into binding engagement between the anges: 68 and 69,thereby to clutch the clutch plate 34 to the relatively stationarybearing plate 25. Finally when the spin tub 43 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the wash liquid and theclothes contained therein have a tendency to rotate the dasher 55 inthe.` counterclockwise direction, but this is in no way objectionable asthe wash liquid and the clothes are readily tlung centrifugally awayfrom the dasher 55 and onto the bathe Si), as explained more fullyhereinafter.

For the purpose of selectively rotating the drive shaft 28 in theopposite directions, an arrangement is provided that includes anelectric drive motor 76 having a frame 77 suitably supported upon theside wall 12 and provided with a reversible rotor carried by anupstanding drive shaft 73 carrying a pulley 79 on the upper end thereof,the pulleys 79 andA 30 being arranged in alignment with each other andinterconnected by a V-belt 801. In the arrangement, the pulley 30 isadapted vto be rotated in opposite directions at a speed of about 600 R.P. M. and the operating shaft 78 of the motor 76 is adapted to berotated in opposite directions at about 1800 R. P. M., whereby thepulleys 79 and 30 bring about a 3:1 speed reduction therebetween.

When the spin tub 43 is rotated in the.` counterclockwise direction at arelativelyhigh speed, there is a tendency for it to gyrate about itsmounting, particularly when the contained load of clothes is somewhatunbalanced, and specifically for the bearing plate 25 to moveexcessively with respect to the bearing support 23, which action isminimized by the provision of a relatively heavy balance ring 81 carriedby the upper portion of the side wall 46 of the spin tub 43 just belowthe rim 47. Moreover, the entire-,mounting ofthe spin tub 43 isstabilized by an arrangement including an antifriction bearing 82disposed between the spin tub shaft 36 and the side wall 12. Moreparticularly the antifriction bearing 82 maybe of Vinto its closedposition.

the ball bearing type including an inner race 83 lixedly secured to thespin tub shaft 36 between the clutch plate 34 and the collar 37, anouter race 84 and a number of interposed balls 85. The outer race 34 issecurely fastened to a ring S6 having a substantially channel-shapedcross sectionthat, in turn, is secured to a number of radially andoutwardly extending arms 87 by a clamping housing 8S. The opposite endsof the arms 8'/ are movably supported upon a number of feet 89 securedto the side wall 12 by a number of interposed snubbers 90. Each of thesnubbers 90 includes a snubbing member 91 formed of rubber or the likedisposed between the adjacent foot 89 and the adjacent outer end of thearm S7, as well as a cooperating nut and bolt 92 retaining the partsmentioned in assembled relation. The spin tub shaft 36 is normallylocated in its upstanding position along the vertical center line of thespin tub 43 by an arrangement including a plurality of radially disposedcoil springs 93 extending between the clamping housing 8S and aplurality of studs 94 secured to the side wall 12. Preferably the armsS7 and the coil springs 93 are arranged in equally angularlyspaced-apart relation, each coil spring 93 being positioned ininterposed relation with respect to two adjacent ones of the arms 87.Accordingly. the coil springs 93 retain the spin tub 43 in itsopstanding position, while the snubbers 90 cooperating between the arms87 and the feet 89 damp excessive gyratory movement of the spin tub 43incident to a spinning operation thereof.

For the purpose of admitting wash liquid into the spin tub 43, anarrangement is provided that includes an inlet valve 95 provided with acasing communicating with both an inlet conduit 96 and an outlet conduit97, the inlet valve 9S' being normally biased into its closed positionand being operated into its open position by an associated solenoid 9S.The inlet conduit 96 is connected `to an associated source of washliquid, such for example, as a hot water tank, not shown; while theoutlet conduit 97 extends through an opening provided in the partition13 from the machinery compartment into the washing compartment 19. Theopening mentioned that is provided in the partition 18 is sealed aboutthe outlet conduit 97 to prevent the leakage of wash liquid from thewashing compartment 19 into the machinery compartment 20; and the outletconduit 97 continues upwardly through the washing compartment 19 alongthe inside of the side wall 12and thence around the top Wall 13 into anoverhanging and downwardly terminating position with respect Vto theopen end of the spin tub 43. Thus it will be understood that when thesolenoid 98 is enp ergized the inlet valve 95 is operated into its openposition causing wash liquid from the inlet conduit 96 to be suppliedvla the outlet conduit 97 into the upper open end of the spin tub 43;and on the other hand, when the sole noid 98 is deenergized the inletvalve 95 is returned back For the purpose of controlling the normallevel of the wash liquid in the spin tub 43,

an arrangement is provided that includes a float switch 99 carried bythe top wall 13 and provided with a hollow float 100 connected theretoby an associated pivotally mounted arm 101, the oat 100 depending intothe upper open top of the spin tub 43. As explained more fullyhereinafter, the float 100 cooperates with the wash liquid admitted intothe spin tub 43 for the purpose of controlling the float switch 99 so asto maintain the normal level of the wash liquid in the spin tub 43 atthe level indicated by the broken line 102 disposed just below the rim47 provided at the open top of the spin tub 43.

As previously noted, the side wall 46 of the spin tub 43 is directedupwardly and outwardly while the side wall of the baille 49 is directedupwardly and inwardly so as to provide an upwardly diverging annularspace 103 therebetween; in which space 103 a number of upstanding.substantially equally angularly spaced-apart ns 104are maidens arrangedand secured to the interior surface of the side wall 46; and the lowerportion of the baille 49 is per forated as indicated at 105; whicharrangements are employed for the purpose of controlling the circulationof the wash liquid and the clothes contained in the spin tub 43, asexplained more fully hereinafter. Finally a hollow sealed member 106 ofgeneral box-like construction is carried by the lower surface of the topdoor 15 and movable therewith. The member 106 is of imperforateconstruction and includes a lower wall 107, an upper wall 108, and acontinuous connectingv annular side wall 109. When the top door 15occupies its closed position, the lower wall 107 of the member 106 iscompletely submerged Vin the wash liquid contained in the spin tub 43and the side wall 109 extending between the lower wall 107 and the upperwall 108 isfpartially submerged therein. Moreover, -the lower wall 107of the member 106 projects into the central opening 52 provided in thetop auge 51 carried by the baie 49 and in spaced relation therewith.vFinally, it is noted that the member 106 is disposed directly over thedasher 55 when the top door 15 occupies its closed position and the sidewall 109 has a radius considerably larger than the radius of the dasher55, so that the perimeter of the dasher 55 is disposed entirely withinthe vertical projection of the perimeter of the side wall 109, for apurpose more fully explained hereinafter.

VIn the operation of the machine 10, the clothes and detergent areplaced in the spintub 43 within the baille 49 through the top opening14; the top door 15 is moved iuto its closed position with respect tothe top opening 14 and latched in place by latch mechanism, not shown,cooperating between the top doorv15 and the top wall 13; and the inletvalve is operated into its open position to admit wash liquid into thespin tub 43. When a given quantity of Wash liquid is admitted into thetub 43 to the level indicated by the broken line 102 the float 100operates the oat switch 99 so as to return theinlet valve 95 into itsclosed position and to condition the motor 76 for rotation in theclockwise direction. At this time, the motor 76 may be rotated in theclockwise direction effecting continuous rotation of the dasher 55 inthe clockwise direction at a relatively high speed of about 600 R. P.M., whereby the wash liquid and clothes contained in the spin tub 43 arecirculated therein. More particularly the wash liquid is circulated fromthe face of the dasher 55 in outwardly directed spirals in the clockwisedirection across the bottom wall 44 and through the perforations in thebale 49 and thence upwardly between the side wall 46 of the spin'tub 43and the side wall 50 of the baffle 49 and then back inwardly over theYtop ange 51 of the bale 49 and back` downwardly through the spacebetween the opening 52 provided in the top ilange 51 and the imperforatemember 106 and ultimately downwardly toward the center of the face ofthe dasher 55; and the clothes are circulated from the face of thedasher 55 outwardly across the bottom wall 44 and thence upwardly alongthe side wall 50 ot' the `baffle 49 and ultimately back'inwardly anddownwardly ytoward the center of the face of the dasher 55. Moreover theclothes contained in the spin tub 43 are rubbed and pulsated by theshallow ribs 5S provided upon the face of the dasher 55 as they aremoved thereacross, so `as to obtain a thorough washing action thereupon.Also the baille 49 exerts a drag upon the clothes as they are circulatedupwardly along the side wall 50 thereof; while the wash liquidcirculated upwardly between the side 'walls 46 and 50 has a rotarycomponent in the clockwise direction that isreduced or minimized by thearrangement of the opstanding tins 104 disposed in the l upwardlytapered space 103.

During the washing operation of the machine 10, there is a'tendency forthere to form a substantially 'opstanding vortex in the substantiallyvertically disposed column ofthe wash liquid extending between the faceof the dasher 55 and theI submergedvlower wall 107 ot' the im-;perforate' membervlU-incident toy the circulation thereof as aconsequence of the continuous rotation of the dasher aveces@ 55 at arelatively highspeed; however, this tendency is entirely eliminated bythe provision of the imperforate member 106 submerged in the upperportion of the wash liquid contained in the spin tub 43 and preventingthe introduction of air into the center of the whorl at `the top surfaceof the wash liquid in the rotating column thereof. Thus the member 106constitutes an anticavitation element for the dasher 55 preventing theformation of the upstanding vortex noted in Vwash liquid, whereby thewashing action of the dasher 55 vupon the clothes is very effective. Inthe arrangement, the speed and size and configuration of the dasher 55are correlated so that the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquidadjacent to the submerged lower wall 107 of the non-porous member 106sealed in air-tight relation therewith are not substantially in excessof about 14.7 p. s. i., so as not to exceed substantially the maximumatmospheric pressure of one atmosphere to which the' wash liquid issubjected.

Subsequently the motor`76 may be operated to rotate the spin tub 43 inthe counterclockwise direction at the relatively high speed of about 600R. P. M. in order to cause the wash liquid to be flung centrifugallyfrom the open top of the spin tub 43 and caught in the washingcompartment 19. The wash liquid may be drained from the washingcompartment 19 via an associated drain conduit 110 sealed in an openingprovided in the 'lower portion of the partition 18 adjacent to the sidewall 12, and ultimately pumped to the exterior by a suitable liquidpump, not shown, arranged in the machinery compartment 20, and driven inany suitable manner, not shown. As the spinning operation continues, theclothes are finally pressed by centrifugal force against the battle 49,whereby the absorbed wash liquid is pressed therefrom and proceedsdownwardly along the side wall 50 of the bale 49 and through theperforations S into the upwardly tapered space 103 disposed between thebaille 49 and the spin tub 43 so that the last-mentioned wash liquid isalso flung by centrifugal force from the open top of the spin tub 43 andcaught in the washing compartment 19 and ultimately drained to theexterior via the drain conduit 110. At the conclusion of the spinningoperation, a considerable portion of the` absorbed wash liquid has beenextracted from the clothes, whereby the clothes are in proper conditionto be transferred to a clothes dryer, or the like. At this time, theoperation of the motor 76 may be arrested and the clothes removed fromthe spin tub 43 after it comes to rest and after the door 15 has beenmoved into its open position with respect to the top opening 14. Inpassing, it is noted that the imperforate member 106 is movable with thetop door 15 through the top opening 14 so that the clothes contained inthe spin tube 43 within the bathe 49 are readily accessible through thetop opening 14 provided in the top wall 13 and the top opening 52provided in the top flange 51 carried by the baflle 49.

In order to control the operation of the machine 10, the simpliedelectric diagram illustrated inFig. 4 is provided that includes a washand spin control switch 111, a till control switch 112, the iloatcontrol switch 99, the solenoid 98, the electric motor 76 and a sourceof power supply. The motor 76 may be of the single-phase split-phasecapacitor start type, including a main or run winding 113 and anauxiliary or start winding 114, as well as a centrifugal switch 115 andan associated capacitor 116; and the source of power supply may be of115- volts single phase A. C. 1n the operation of the control circuit,it will be understood that when the fill control switch 112 is closed, acircuit is completed for energizing the solenoid 98 via contactscontrolled by a bridging member 99a incorporated in the oat switch 99,whereby the contacts mentioned are opened when the 'spin tub 43 isfilled to the level indicated by the broken line 102 so as to deenergizethe solenoid 98. Likewise it will be'ob` served that when the wash andspin control switch 111 is operated into its wash position a circuit foroperating the motor 76 in the clockwise direction is prepared, but thiscircuit is not closed until the oat effects operation of the floatswitch 99 so as to close two pairs of contacts respectively controlledby two bridging members 99b and 99e incorporated in the float switch 99.When the spin tub 43 is filled with the wash liquid to the desired levelindicated by the broken line 102, the iloat 100 operates the iloatswitch 99 so that the bridging members 9911 and 99C close the respectivecircuits to the main and auxiliary windings 113 and 114, so that themotor 76 is operated in the clockwise direction. On the other hand, whenthe switch and spin control switch 111 is operated into its spinposition, the circuit for operating the motor 76 in the counterclockwisedirection is immediately closed independently of the float switch 99. lnpassing, it is noted that the centrifugal switch 115 is arranged tointerrupt the circuit for energizing the auxiliary winding 114 in seriesrelation with the capacitor 116 in response to rotation of the driveshaft 78 of the motor 76 in either direction at a speed somewhat inexcess of 50% of the normal operating speed of the motor 76. Further thewash and spin control switch 111 has an off position, as well as thewash and spin positions previously noted, and is effective in therespective Wash and spin positions thereof appropriately to pole theauxiliary winding 114 and the capacitor 116 in the respective clockwiseand counterclockwise directions with respect to the main winding 113. l

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, a modified form of the spin tub 143embodying the features of the present invention is illustrated thatcomprises a plurality of upstanding substantially flat baies 149 thatare perforated as indicated at 205. The baffles 149 are preferablyarranged in substantially equally angularly spaced-apart relation withrespect to each other in order to preserve the balance of the spin tub143 and to serve the function of exerting a drag 'upon the clothes inthe washing operation in a manner substantially identical to theperforated baille 49 that is provided in the spin tub 43. The generalprinciple of operation of the modified spin tub 143 is substantiallyidentical to that of the spin tub 43 previously described.

In view of the foregoing considerations, it is apparent that there hasbeen provided an improved clothes washing machine that embodies a simplearrangement for carrying out both a washing operation and a centrifugalWater extracting operation therein, and that embodies no complicatedoscillating transmission mechanism or other structure that `t'ends tounbalance the rotatably mounted elements including the spin tub.Moreover, the machine embodies an improved and simpliied arrangement forpreventing the formation of an upstanding vortex in the wash liquidcontained in the spin tub not withstanding the circumstance that thedasher is in the form of a substantially iiat disk-like structure thatis continuously rotated about a substantially vertical axis at arelatively high speed.

In conclusion, itis noted that the present clothes washing machine is ofthe fundamental construction and arrangement of that disclosed andclaimed in the copending application of George P. Castner, Serial No.258,433, tiled November 27, 1951; and that in operation the presentclothes washing machine carries out the fundamental method of Washingclothes of that disclosed and claimed in the application mentioned.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:`

l. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided with atop wall having a top opening therein, and a top door mounted upon saidtop wall for movechansen ments between open and closed positions withrespect to said top opening; the combination comprising an up- Y opentop communicating with the atmosphere and mounted for rotation about asubstantially vertical and central axis extending through said topopening and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed, thenor mal wash liquid level in said spin tub .being disposed adjacent tothe open top thereof so that said spin tub is substantially filled withthe wash liquid, the interior of said spin tub being readily accessiblefrom the exterior through said top opening when said top door occupiesits open position, the Wash liquid contained in said spin tub beingcentrifugally flung from the upper portion thereof and caught in saidhousing in response to continuous'rotation of said spin tub at arelatively high speed, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in saidspin tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantialy smoothface and mounted for rotation about said axis, means for continuouslyrotating said dasher at a sufficiently high speed to circulate the washliquid and the vclothes contained in said spin tub, the wash liquidcontained in said spin tub being circulated from the face of said dasherin outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thenceupwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and rdownwardlytoward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained insaid spin tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across theface of said dasher, and means including a non-porous member carried bysaid top door and projecting downwardly therefrom and partiallysubmerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquidcontained in said spin tub when said top door occupies its closedposition for preventing the formation of any substantial upstandingvortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the washliquid extending between the face of said dasher and the lower submergedsurface of said member incident to the circulation of the wash v liquid,the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such thatincident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said spin tub thecentrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said memberare not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i. Y

2. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided with atop wall having a top opening therein, a top door mounted upon said topwall for movements between open and closed positions with respect tosaid top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion ofsaid housing and provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directedside wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquidand clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub beingadjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tub issubstantially filled with the wash liquid, the interior of said tubbeing readily accessible from the exterior through said top opening whensaid top door occupies its open position; the combination comprising asubstantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to saidbottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted forrotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed in substantialalignment with said top opening, means for continuously rotating saiddasher at a sufficiently high speed to circulate the wash liquid and theclothes contained in said tub, the wash liquid contained in said tubbeing circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directedspirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side walland then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face ofsaid dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed and pulsatedas they are projecting downwardly therefrom and partially submerged inand forming an air-tight seal with thewash liquid contained in said tubwhen said top door occupies its closed position for preventing theformation of anysubstantial upstanding vortex in the substantiallyvertically disposed column of the wash liquid extending between the faceof said dasher and the lower submerged surface of said member incidentto the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size andconfiguration of said dasher being such that incident to the circulationof the washliquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the washliquid adjacent to ksaid member are not substantially in excess of about14.7 p. s. i.

3. The washing machine combination set forth in claim 2, wherein saidmember is essentially in the form of a hollow sealed imperforatestructure secured to the-lower surface of Ysaid top door. t

4. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided withatop wall having atop opening therein, a top door mounted upon said topwall for movements between open and closed positions with respect tosaid top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion ofsaid housing and provided with a bottom Wall and an upwardly directedside wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquidand clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub beingdisposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tubis substantially lled with the wash liquid, the interior of said tubbeing readily 'accessible from the exterior through said top openingwhen said top door occupies its open position; the combinationcomprising a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tubadjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face andmounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed insubstantial align# ment with vsaid top opening, means for continuouslyrotating said dasher at a suiciently high speed to circulate the washliquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the Wash liquid containedin said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in-outwardlydirected spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along saidside wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of theface of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed andpulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, meansincluding perforated structure arranged in' said tub adjacent to saidside wall for exerting a drag upon the clothes contained in said tub asthey are circulated, and means including a nonporous member carried bysaid top door and projecting downwardly therefrom and ypartiallysubmerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquidcontained in said tub when said top door occupies its closed positionfor preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex in thesubstantially vertically disposed column of the wash liquid extendingbetween the face of said dasher and the lower submerged surface of .saidmember incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed andsize and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to thecirculation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forcescreated in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantiallyin excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

5. In a washing machine including an opstanding housing provided with atop wall having a top opening therein, a top door mounted upon said topwall for movements between open and closed positions with respect tosaid top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion ofsaid housing and provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directedside wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquidand clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub beingdisposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so `that ksaid tubis substantially illed with the wash liquid, the interior of said tubbeing readily accessible from the ,exterior through said top openingwhen said top door occupies its open position; the combinationcomprising a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tubadjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smooth face andmounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed insubstantial alignment with said top opening, means for continuouslyrotating said dasher at a suiliciently high speed to circulate-the washliquid and the clothes contained in said tub, the wash liquid con tainedin said tub being circulated from the face of said dasher in outwardlydirected spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardly along saidside wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of theface of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being rubbed andpulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, meansincluding a plurality of upstandingr inwardly directed and angularlyspaced-apart projections carried by the upper portion of said side wallfor reducing rotation of the wash liquid contained in said tub as itmoves upwardly along said side wall, and means includ ing a non-porousmember carried by said top door and projecting downwardly therefrom andpartially submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the washliquid contained in said tub when said top door occupies its closedposition for preventing the formation of any substantial upstandingvortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of the washliquid extending between the face of said dasher and the lower submergedsurface of said member incident to the circulation of the wash liquid,the speed and size and configuration of said dasher being such thatincident to the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub thecentrifugal forces created in the wash liquid adjacent to said memberare not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

6. A washing machine comprising an upstanding tub provided with a bottomwall and an upwardly directed tubular side wall and open to theatmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed,the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed adjacent to thetop of the side wall thereof so that said tub is substantially filledwith the wash liquid, an upwardly directed tubular baille arranged insaid tub and spaced inwardly with respect to said side wall, the lowerend of said baille being supported adjacent to the junction between saidbottom wall and said side wall and the upper end of said bailleterminating below the upper end of said side wall, the lower portion ofsaid baille being perforated, a substantially disk-like dasher arrangedin said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantiallysmooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially verticalaxis, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a suillciently highspeed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in saidtub, the wash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from theface of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottomwall and through the perforations in said baille and thence upwardlybetween said side wall and said baille and then back inwardly over theupper end of said baille and downwardly toward the center of the face ofsaid dasher, the clothes contained in said tub being circulated from theface of said dasher outwardly across said bottom wall and thenceupwardly along said baille and then back inwardly and downwardly towardthe center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained in said tubbeing rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face of saiddasher, said bafile exerting a drag upon the clothes containedin saidtub as they are moved upwardly therealong, and means including anon-porous member arranged in the upper end of said baille and subimerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid containedin said tub for preventing the formation of any substantial upstandingvortex in the substantially vertically disposed column of wash liquidextending between the face of said dasher and said member incident tothe circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and configurationof said dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the washliquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquidadjacent to said member' are not substantially Iin excess of about 14.7p. s. 1.

7. A washing machine comprising an upstanding tub provided with a bottomwall and an upwardly directed tubular side wall and open to theatmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquid and clothes to be washed,the normal wash liquid level in said tub being disposed adjacent to thetop of the side wall thereof so that said tub is substantially filledwith the wash liquid, an upwardly directed tubular baille arranged insaid tub and spaced inwardly with respect to said side Wall, the lowerend of said baille being supported adjacent to the junction between saidbottom wall and said side wall and the upper end of said bailleterminating below the upper end of said side Wall, the lower portion ofsaid baille being perforated, a substantially dislolke dasher arrangedin said tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantiallysmooth face and mounted for rotation about a substantially verticalaxis, means for continuously rotating said dasher at a suiliciently highspeed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in saidtub, the wash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from theface of said dasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottomwall and through the perforations in said baille and thence upwardlybetween said side wall and said baille and then back inwardly over theupper end of said baille and downwardly toward the center of the face ofsaid dasher, means including a plurality of upstanding angularlyspaced-apart projections arranged between the upper portion of said sidewall and the upper portion of said baille for reducing rotation of thewash liquid contained in said tub as it moves upwardly between said sidewall and said baille, the clothes contained in said tub being circulatedfrom the face of sai-d dasher outwardly Yacross said bottom wall andthence upwardly along said baille and then back inwardly and downwardlytoward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained insaid tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face ofsaid dasher, said baille exerting a drag upon the clothes contained insaid tub as they are moved upwardly therealong, and means ncluding anon-porous member arranged in the upper end of said baille and submergedin and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in saidtub for preventing the formation of any substantial upstanding vortex inthe substantially vertically disposed column of wash liquid extendingbetween the face of said dasher and said member incident to thecirculation of the wash liquid, the speed and size and coniiguration ofsaid dasher being such that incident to the circulation of the washliquid in said tub the centrifugal forces created in the wash liquidadjacent to said member are not substantially in excess of about 14.7 p.s. i.

8. In a washing machine including an upstanding housing provided with atop wall having a top opening therein, a top door mounted upon said topwall for movements between open and closed positions with respect tosaid top opening, and an upstanding tub arranged in the upper portion ofsaid housing and provided with a bottom wall and an upwardly directedside wall and open to the atmosphere and adapted to contain wash liquidand clothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub beingdisposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that said tubis substantially iilled with the wash liquid, the interior of said tubbeing readily accessible from the exterior through said top opening whensaid top door occupies its open position; the combination comprising asubstantially disk-like dasher arranged in said tub adjacent to saidbottom wall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted forrotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed in substantialalignment with said top opening, means responsive to the establishmentof said normal level of the wash liquid contained in said tub forcontinuously rotating said dasher at a sufficiently high speed tocirculate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said tub, thewash liquid contained in said tub being circulated from the face of saiddasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thenceupwardly along said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardlytoward the center of the face of said dasher, the clothes contained insaid tub being rubbed and pulsated as they are moved across the face ofsaid dasher, and means including a non-porous member carried by said topdoor and projecting downwardly therefrom and partially submerged in andforming an air-tight seal with the wash liquid contained in said tubwhen vsaid top door occupies its closed position for preventing theformation of any substantial upstanding vortex in the substantiallyvertically disposed column of the wash liquid extending between the faceof said dasher and the lower submerged surface of said member incidentto the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed and size andcontiguration. of said dasher being such that incident to thecirculation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forcescreated in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantiallyin excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

9. A washing machine comprising an upstanding spin tub provided with abottom wall and an upwardly and outwardly directed side wall and open tothe atmosphere and mounted for rotation about a substantially verticallyand centrally disposed axis and adapted to contain wash liquid andclothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said spin tubbeing disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that saidspin tub is substantially lled with the wash liquid, the wash liquidcontained in said spin tub being centrifugally ung from the upperportion thereof in response to continuous rotation of said spin tub at arelatively high speed, a substantially disk-lile dasher arranged in saidspin tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a substantially smoothface and mounted for rotation about said axis, said dasher whencontinuously rotated at a predetermined high speed elfecting circulationof the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said spin tub so thatthey are peripherally centrifugally discharged from the face f saiddasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thencemoved upwardly along said side wall and then sucked back` inwardly anddownwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, means includingshallow ribs provided on the face of said dasher for rubbing andpulsating the clothes as they are moved across the face of said dasher,a drive member mounted for rotation, means for rotating said drivemember c011- tinuously at said predetermined high speed, means forselectively clutching said dasher to said drive member Vfor directrotation therewith, means for selectively clutching said spin tnb tosaid drive member for direct rotation therewith, and means including anon-porous member arranged in the upper portion of said spin tub andsubmerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquidcontained in said spin tub for preventing the formation of anysubstantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposedcolumn of washliquid extending between the face of said dasher and saidmember incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed andsize and conguration of said dasher being such that incident to thecirculation of the wash liquid in said spintub the centrifugal forcescreated in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantiallyin excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

l0. A washing machine comprising an upstanding spin tub provided with abottom wall and an upwardly and outwardly directed side wall and open tothe atmosphere and mounted for rotation about a substantially verticallyand centrally disposed axis and adapted to contain wash liquid andclothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said spin tubbeing disposed adjacent to the top of the side wall thereof so that saidspin tub is substantially filled with the washliquid, the wash liquidcontained in said spin tub being centrifugally flung fromthe upperportions thereof in response to continuous rotation of said spin tub ata relatively high speed, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged insaid spin tub adjacent to said bottom wall and having a' substantiallysmooth face and mounted for rotation about said axis, said` dasher whencontinuously rotated at a predetermined high speed effecting circulationof the wash liquid and the clothes contained in said spin tub so thatthey are peripherally centrifugally discharged from the face of saiddasher in outwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thencemoved upwardly along said side wall and then sucked back inwardly anddownwardly toward the center of the face of said dasher, means includingshallow ribs provided on the face of said dasher for rubbing andpulsating the clothes as they are moved across the face of said dasher,a drive member mounted for rotation, a reversible motor for rotatingsaid drive member continuously at said predetermined high speed ineither direction, automatic means responsive to rotation of said drivemember in one direction for clutching said dasher thereto and fordeclutching said spin tub therefromand responsive to rotation of saiddrive member in the opposite direction for clutching said spin tubthereto and for declutching said dasher therefrom, and means including anon-porous member arranged in the upper portion of said spin tub andsubmerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the wash liquidcontained in said spin tub for preventing the formation of anysubstantial upstanding vortex in the substantially vertically disposedcolumn of wash liquid extending between the face of said dasher and saidmember incident to the circulation of the wash liquid, the speed andsize and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to thecirculation of the wash liquid in said spin tub the centrifugal forcescreated in the wash liquid adjacent to said member are not substantiallyin excess of about 14.7 p. s; i. v

l1. The washing machine set forth in claim 10, and further comprisingmeans for preventing rotation of said spin tub in said one direction bythe circulation of the clothes and wash liquid contained thereinincident to continuous rotation of said dasher in said one direction.

l2. The washing` machine set forth in claim 10, wherein said reversiblemotor rotates said drive member at said predetermined high speed ofabout 600 R. l. M. in either direction, so that said dasher iscontinuously rotated at about 600 R. P. M. in said one direction when itis clutched to said drive member and said spin `tub is continuouslyrotated at about 600 R. P. M. in said opposite direction when it isclutched to said drive member.

13. A washing machine comprising a tub including a bottom wall and aconnecting upstanding tubular side wall having a top openingcommunicating with the atmosphere, structure removably supported in thetop opening in said side wall and cooperating therewith to define acompartment in said tub and partially closing the top opening in saidside wall to deiine an upstandingl space therebetween above saidcompartment and communicating between vsaid compartment and theatmosphere, said compartment being adapted to contain wash liquid andclothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub beingdisposed up in said space so that said compartment is completely'flledwith the wash liquid and the clothes, said structure including a downwardly facing non-porous wall arranged in opposed relation with respectto said bottom wall and constituting a top wallfor` said compartment andsubmerged in'and forming an air-tight seal with the washiliquid in saidtub, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in said compartmentadjacent to said bottom wall and directly below said top wall and havinga substantially smooth face and mounted on said bottom wall for rotationabout a substantially vertical axisy offset with respect to said space,and means for continuously rotating said dasher at a sufficiently highspeed to circulate the wash liquid and the clothes contained in saidcompartment, the wash liquid contained in said compartment beingcirculated from the face of said dasher in outwardly directed spiralsacross said bottom wall and thence upwardly along said side wall andthen back inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the face of saiddasher, the clothes contained in said compartment being rubbed andpulsated as they are moved across the face of said dasher, and means forexerting a drag on the clothes circulated in said compartment in orderto effect distribution of the clothes in the wash liquid, the speed andsize and configuration of said dasher being such that incident to thecirculation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forcescreated in the wash liquid adjacent to said top wall are notsubstantially in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

14. A washing machine comprising a` tub including a bottom wall and aconnecting upstanding tubular side wall having a top openingcommunicating with the at mosphere, structure removably supported in thetop opening in said side wall and cooperating therewith to define acompartment in said tub and partially closing the top opening in saidside wall to define an upstanding space therebetween above saidcompartment and communicating between said compartment and theatmosphere, said compartment being adapted to contain wash liquid andclothes to be washed, the normal wash liquid level in said tub beingdisposed up in said space so that said compartment is completely filledwith the wash liquid and the clothes, said structure including adownwardlyl facing non-porous wall arranged in opposed relation withrespect to said bottom wall and constituting a top wal-l for saidcompartment and submerged in and forming an air-tight seal with the Washliquid in said tub, a substantially disk-like dasher arranged in saidcompartment adjacent to said bottom wall and directly below said topwall and having a substantially smooth face and mounted on said bottomwall for rotation about a substantially vertical axis offset withrespect to said space, motor means operative to rotate said dashercontnuously at a suticiently high speed to circulate the wash liquid andthe clothes contained in said compartment, the wash liquid contained insaid compartment being circulated from the face or" said dasher inoutwardly directed spirals across said bottom wall and thence upwardlyalong said side wall and then back inwardly and downwardly toward thecenter of the face of said dasher, means governed by the wash liquidlevel in said tub for controlling operation of said motor means so thatsaid dasher is rotated only in the event the wash liquid is disposed upin said space completely filling said compartment, and means forexerting a drag on the clothes circulated in said said compartment inorder to effect distribution of the clothes in the wash liquid, thespeed and size and configuration of said dasher being such that incidentto the circulation of the wash liquid in said tub the centrifugal forcescreated in the wash liquid adjacent to said top wall are notsubstantialiy in excess of about 14.7 p. s. i.

l5. The washing machine set forth in claim 6, wherein said side wall ofsaid tub is directed upwardly and outwardly and provided with an opentop, said bathe is directed upwardly and inwardly and provided with anopen top, and said member is mounted for movements into and out of theupper end of said bafe through the open top of said tub and the open topof said baie.

References Cited inthe tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSl,580,778 Coverstone Apr. 13, 1926 2,269,190 Dunham Jau. 6, 19422,278,911 Breckenridge Apr. 7, 1942 2,392,652 Dyer Jan. 8, 19462,482,319 Casse Sept. 20, 1949 2,498,734 Bozanich Feb. 28, 19502,502,965 Knapp Apr. 4, 1950 2,513,844 Castner et al. July 4, 19502,588,963 Chapin Mar. 11, 1952 2,596,980 Castner May 20, 1952 2,630,696Castner Mar. 10, 1953

